From the Inbox

Dear Maniac Mechanic,
Why do you do it? Wouldn't an old road bike be more useful in it's original state with coasting and multiple gears? I am no collection snob, but you are taking really cool original bikes for your projects what gives?
Sean in Glenn Oaks, MI

Well, I do get this type of letter often. Honestly, I do not feel guilty as the bikes that I convert in to fixed gear bikes are almost always neglected and unused. If you follow the Golden Rule and apply it to bikes. Treat bikes the way they are meant to be treated. I interpret this to mean that bike are made to be ridden. One thing I can say about my bikes is they get ridden, used and enjoyed. If you have a collectible bicycle and it is vintage and original and pristine, good for you. Enjoy it. But if it has been hanging in the corner of a dusty garage for the last 20 years, that is criminal. Like my friend, Rob Cockerham, always says, "It is better to know how much is inside, than to live in a constant state of wonder." My bikes are fun and interesting to ride and have a purity of spirit about them that gives an energized experience, as bike and rider become one. If you have not tried one, you are missing out on a totally new cycling experience, that needs to be experienced.

Amen Brother

-Eric Brandt
hot_cycling@hotmail.com
Brazen Cycleworks

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Fixed gear super shop. Request a specific frame size(52cm-60cm)c-t, select between bike frames all nice classic steel(Reynolds 531, Tange 1, 4130 Chromoly Steel), select preferred crank arm length(165mm-175mm), select gearing, select brake setup(no brakes, front only, full), select stem and bar. Basic package starts at $200 and includes all new (tires, tubes, chain, track cog, bar wrap). Build time is about 1 week, includes complete rebuild from frame up. If you have a vision let us help you make it a reality. Pictures include former builds and current projects. Get your Fixed Gear Fix, and rediscover the joy of riding this Spring. Classic steel will not let you down. Many of our bikes weigh less than carbon fiber and titanium super bikes that cost $3000 and up.
Read more
Image
Open Letter to all my supporters, I thank you for your generous contributions this year. It has been about 10 years since I first rode the charity ride, Fat Tire Ride, from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, and every time is a special time for me. ‘Special’ in that the ride itself was started by accident by friends inviting friends riding and donating extra proceeds from ride to local charity. Then the ride was built into a partnership with local Marines. Over the years the event grew with volunteers gathering, riders fundraising, and organizers creating a one-of-kind event. I have so many positive memories from participating in this event. Memories like collecting donations for all the worthy causes, riding to complete fatigue, and the anticipation of riding with friends again the next year. This year was no different, and the challenges were large and persistent. We started early, under overcast skies and heavy anticipation of eventual rain. It wasn’t more than 20 minutes into th...
Read more
Image
64 Green Monster Fixxie Fixxed. It is the way your great great great grandfather would have ridden. And if was good enhough for him it is damn good enough for you. Where's your bloomers? 64x62 with 52x17 old school 70's steel. Bar spin like Kevin Bacon.
Read more